Tensioning device

ABSTRACT

A tensioning device could be used in many different applications such as but not limited to a combination safety harness and tensioning device. The tensioning device could be a positioning device and a strap tensioner for the safety harness. The combination safety harness and tensioning device could be used with any suitable tensioning device.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/743,031, filed Oct. 9, 2018, which isincorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

Fall protection equipment is commonly used to reduce a likelihood of afall and/or injuries associated with a fall, particularly by users whoperform tasks at heights or are at risk of falling. Generally, lifelinesor lanyards typically interconnect anchorage structures and safetyharnesses donned by users. The lifelines or lanyards allow the users tomove and perform tasks while being connected to the anchoragestructures. Should a user fall, the lifeline or lanyard limits thedistance the user falls.

It is important for the safety harness to be properly adjusted andfitted about the user. A safety harness that is improperly adjusted maytransfer the load from the lifeline or lanyard to an unsafe location onthe user and lead to injury or even death. A safety harness that is tooloose may allow the user to slip free from the harness during a fall.The ease of safety harness adjustment is a leading factor in the user'swillingness to take the time to correctly adjust their harness. Adifficult or unintuitive harness webbing adjuster may discourage theuser from properly adjusting the harness to fit for each donning.Furthermore, some harness adjustment mechanisms allow excess webbing todangle freely from the end of the adjuster, which may create additionalsnag or entanglement hazards in the workplace.

A user often connects a lifeline or a lanyard to a dorsal D-ringpositioned on the back of the user's safety harness. To connect anddisconnect the lifeline or lanyard, it may be difficult if the D-ring isin an awkward position relative to the user. During use, there are otherpositions relative to the safety harness where a positionable D-ringwould be useful.

For the reasons stated above and for other reasons stated below, whichwill become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading andunderstanding the present specification, there is a need in the art fora tensioning device and for a tensioning device that could be used witha safety harness.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The above-mentioned problems associated with prior devices are addressedby embodiments of the disclosure and will be understood by reading andunderstanding the present specification. The following summary is madeby way of example and not by way of limitation.

In one embodiment, a tensioning device comprises a housing, an engagingassembly, a rotating member, and an elongate member. The housingincludes a cavity. The engaging assembly is operatively connected to thehousing and has an engaging member and a biasing member. The engagingmember is movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position.The biasing member urges the engaging member into the engaged position.The rotating member is configured and arranged to be received in thecavity and rotatably operatively connected to the housing. The rotatingmember has a base and a flange. The flange has a receiver configured andarranged to receive a portion of the engaging member. The receiver isselectively aligned with the engaging member as the rotating memberrotates. The elongate member has a first end operatively connected tothe rotating member and an intermediate portion windable about the base.The rotating member is rotatable in a first direction and a seconddirection relative to the housing, the second direction being oppositethe first direction. The engaging member is positioned within thereceiver in the engaged position to assist in preventing rotation of therotating member in the first and second directions, wherein rotation ofthe rotating member overcomes the biasing member to move the engagingmember into the disengaged position and out of the receiver to allowrotation in the first and second directions. The biasing member movesthe engaging member into the engaged position when the engaging memberis selectively aligned with the receiver.

In one embodiment, a combination safety harness and tensioning devicecomprises a harness strap, a connector, an elongate member, and atensioning device. The connector is operatively connected to the harnessstrap proximate a first location, the connector being moveable relativeto at least a portion of the harness strap. The elongate member has afirst end, a second end, and an intermediate portion, the first endbeing operatively connected to the connector. The tensioning device isoperatively connected to the harness strap proximate a second location,the second location being different than the first location. The secondend of the elongate member is operatively connected to the tensioningdevice and a portion of the intermediate portion of the elongate memberextends between the tensioning device and the connector. The tensioningdevice is moveable to vary a length of the intermediate portionextending between the tensioning device and the connector thereby movingthe connector relative to the at least a portion of the harness strap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure can be more easily understood, and furtheradvantages and uses thereof can be more readily apparent, whenconsidered in view of the detailed description and the following Figuresin which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment tensioningdevice constructed in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of a dial of the tensioning deviceshown in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a top view of a reel of the tensioning device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is bottom perspective view of the reel shown in FIG. 3 ;

FIG. 5 is a top view of a housing of the tensioning device shown in FIG.1 ;

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of the housing shown in FIG. 5 ;

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the housing shown in FIG. 5 ;

FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of the housing shown in FIG. 5 ;

FIG. 9A is a top view of another embodiment tensioning deviceconstructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 9B is a cross-section view taken along the lines 9B-9B in FIG. 9Aof the tensioning device shown in FIG. 9A in an engaged position;

FIG. 10A is a top view of the tensioning device shown in FIG. 9A;

FIG. 10B is a cross-section view taken along the lines 10B-10B in FIG.10A of the tensioning device shown in FIG. 9A in a disengaged position;

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment tensioningdevice constructed in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention;

FIG. 12 is a bottom perspective view of a dial of the tensioning deviceshown in FIG. 10 ;

FIG. 13 is a top view of a reel of the tensioning device shown in FIG.11 ;

FIG. 14 is a top perspective view of the reel shown in FIG. 13 ;

FIG. 15 is a side view of the reel shown in FIG. 13 ;

FIG. 16 is a bottom view of the reel shown in FIG. 13 ;

FIG. 17 is a bottom perspective view of the reel shown in FIG. 13 ;

FIG. 18 is a top view of a housing of the tensioning device shown inFIG. 11 ;

FIG. 19 is a top perspective view of the housing shown in FIG. 18 ;

FIG. 20 is a side view of the housing shown in FIG. 18 ;

FIG. 21 is a bottom view of the housing shown in FIG. 18 ;

FIG. 22 is a bottom perspective view of the housing shown in FIG. 18 ;

FIG. 23 is a schematic view of a cable for use with the tensioningdevices shown in FIGS. 1 and 11 ;

FIG. 24 is a top view of an embodiment combination safety harness andtensioning device;

FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective view of a dorsal pad assembly for usewith the combination safety harness and tensioning device of FIG. 24 ;

FIG. 26A is a perspective view of the dorsal pad assembly shown in FIG.25 in a generally downward position;

FIG. 26B is a cross-section view taken along the lines 26B-26B in FIG.26A of the dorsal pad assembly shown in FIG. 26A;

FIG. 27A is a perspective view of the dorsal pad assembly shown in FIG.25 in a generally upward position;

FIG. 27B is a cross-section view taken along the lines 27B-27B in FIG.27A of the dorsal pad assembly shown in FIG. 27A;

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a channel guide of a combination safetyharness and tensioning device connected to an end of a strap of thesafety harness;

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of the channel guide shown in FIG. 28 ;

FIG. 30 is a plan view of another embodiment combination safety harnessand tensioning device;

FIG. 31 is a plan view of another embodiment combination safety harnessand tensioning device; and

FIG. 32 is a plan view of another embodiment combination safety harnessand tensioning device.

In accordance with common practice, the various described features arenot drawn to scale but are drawn to emphasize specific features relevantto the present disclosure. Reference characters denote like elementsthroughout the Figures and the text.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shownby way of illustration embodiments in which the disclosure may bepracticed. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilizedand mechanical changes may be made without departing from the spirit andscope of the present disclosure. The following detailed description is,therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

Embodiments of the disclosure provide a tensioning device and acombination safety harness and tensioning device. The tensioning devicecould be used in many different applications such as but not limited toa combination safety harness and tensioning device, and the tensioningdevice could serve as a positioning device and as a strap tensioner. Thecombination safety harness and tensioning device could be used with anysuitable tensioning device such as but not limited to the examplesdescribed herein.

An embodiment tensioning device 100, best shown in FIG. 1 , includes ahousing 102, an engaging assembly 122, a rotating member 128, and anelongate member 140. The housing 102 includes a plate portion 104 havinga top 106 and a bottom 116. A cylindrical portion 107 extends upwardfrom the top 106 and includes a ledge portion 108 proximate a bottomportion of the cylindrical portion 107 and the top 106. The ledgeportion 108 includes at least one bore 109. This example includes fourbores 109, but any suitable number of bore(s) could be used. Thecylindrical portion 107 and the top 106 form a cavity 110. An exit guidepath 111 having a bore 112 in communication with the cavity 110 extendsoutward from the cylindrical portion 107 proximate the top 106. Thebottom 116 includes a protruding portion 117 through which a bore 118extends and is in communication with the cavity 110. The cylindricalportion 107 and the protruding portion 117 are generally centered on theplate portion 104.

The engaging assembly 122 includes at least one assembly. This exampleincludes four assemblies corresponding with the four bores 109 in thehousing 102, but any suitable number of assembly/assemblies could beused. Each assembly includes a retaining member 123, which is generallycylindrical with a ledge or flange 123 a extending outward proximate itstop end, configured and arranged to house a biasing member (not shown)and an engaging member 125 such as a ball bearing. The biasing member ispositioned between a bottom of the retaining member 123 and the engagingmember 125 and urges the engaging member 125 toward the top of theretaining member 123. The retaining member 123 is configured andarranged to allow a portion of the engaging member 125 to extend outwardtherefrom. The bores 109 are counter sunk in this example to receive theledges or flanges 123 a of the retaining members 123.

The rotating member 128 includes a reel 129, a dial 148, a shaft 152,and a fastener 158. The reel 129 includes a generally cylindrical base130 having a top from which a top flange 133 extends and a bottom fromwhich a bottom flange 134 extends. The top flange 133 includes areceiver 131 having a stop receiver 131 a configured and arranged toreceive a stop 142 of an elongate member 140, a channel 131 b configuredand arranged to receive a portion of the elongate member 140, and anaperture 131 c through which the elongate member extends to bepositioned proximate the base 130 between the top and bottom flanges 133and 134. The bottom flange 134 includes at least one receiver 135. Inthis example, the receiver 135 is at least one depression that extendsat least partially through a bottom surface of the bottom flange 134 andcould be a dimple, an aperture, or the like. An extension 136 isgenerally cylindrical and extends outward from the bottom flange 134 andis generally centered thereon. A bore 137 extends through the extension136 and the top flange 133 and preferably includes a non-circular crosssection. In this example, the bore 137 is generally plus “+” shaped.

The elongate member 140, which could be a cable, includes a first end141 to which a stop 142 is connected, a second end 143 to which a stop144 is connected, and an intermediate portion 145 between the first andsecond ends 141 and 143. In this example, the first end 141 isoperatively connected to the reel as described above, and theintermediate portion 145 is generally configured and arranged to windabout the base 130 of the reel 129.

The dial 148 includes a base or flange portion 149, which could includeribbed portions 150 on its top surface to provide a better grip on thebase or flange portion 149. The bottom surface could include voids, andan extension 151 extends downward from the bottom surface. The extension151 is configured and arranged to be received by the bore 137.Therefore, in this example, the extension 151 is generally plus “+”shaped to fit within the bore 137. Other corresponding shapes could beused. The extension 151 includes bore 151 a configured and arranged toreceive a shaft 152 including a threaded bore 153. The shaft 152 is afriction fit within the bore 151 a of the extension 151.

To assemble the tensioning device 100, the engaging assemblies 122 arepositioned within the bores 109, the first end 141 of the elongatemember 140 is connected to the reel 129, the second end 143 of theelongate member 140 is inserted through the bore 112 of the exit guidepath 111 so that a portion of the intermediate portion 145 extendsthrough the exit guide path 111, the reel 129 is positioned within thecavity 110 with the bottom flange 134 proximate the ledge portion 108,the extension 151 of the dial 148 including the shaft 152 is insertedinto the bore 137, and then a fastener 158 is inserted through the bore118 from the bottom 116 of the housing and threaded into a threaded bore153 of the shaft 152. The rotating member 128 is rotatable about thefastener 158 relative to the housing 102. The non-circular crosssections of the bore 137 and the extension 151 and the friction fitbetween the bore 151 a and the shaft 152, allow this rotation. It isrecognized that the order of assembling the components could vary.

In operation, the dial 148, and therefore the rotating member 128, couldbe rotated in a first direction and a second direction. When the dial148 is rotated, the reel 129 rotates. When rotated in one direction, theintermediate portion 145 is retracted into the housing 102 and woundabout the base 130. When rotated in the other direction, theintermediate portion 145 is unwound from the base 130 and paid out fromthe housing 102. As the reel 129 rotates, the engaging members 125 moveout of the receivers 135 and the bottom flange 134 moves the engagingmembers 125 downward into disengaged positions thereby compressing thebiasing members. When the engaging members 125 selectively align withreceivers 135, the biasing members move the engaging members upward intoengaged positions to be positioned within the receivers 135. This occurswhen rotated in either direction. In the engaged positions, the engagingmembers 125 assist in preventing rotation of the rotating member 128 inthe first and second directions. If a plurality of receivers 135 areused, such as 20 in this example, the length of the intermediate portion145 extending out of the housing 102 can be more finely tuned to adesired length. Any suitable number of receiver(s) could be used.

An embodiment tensioning device 300, best shown in FIG. 11 , includes ahousing 302, an engaging assembly 322, a rotating member 328, and anelongate member 140. The housing 302 includes a plate portion 304 havinga top 306 and a bottom 316. Optional slots 304 a could be positionedproximate the ends to assist in securing the plate portion 304 to ananchor member. A cylindrical portion 307 extends upward from the top 306and includes a ledge portion 308 proximate a bottom portion of thecylindrical portion 307 and the top 306. The ledge portion 308 includesat least one bore 309. Optionally, the ledge portion 308 could includevoids 308 a to reduce the weight of the housing 302. This exampleincludes four bores 309, but any suitable number of bore(s) could beused. The cylindrical portion 307 and the top 306 form a cavity 310. Afirst exit guide path 311 having a bore 312 and a second exit guide path313 having a bore 314 in communication with the cavity 310 extendoutward from the cylindrical portion 307 proximate the top 306. Thebottom 316 includes a protruding portion 317 through which a bore 318extends and is in communication with the cavity 310. Moulding pockets319 and 320 could be included to stop sinkage in the material, forexample plastic. The cylindrical portion 307 and the protruding portion317 are generally centered on the plate portion 304.

The engaging assembly 322 includes at least one assembly. This exampleincludes four assemblies corresponding with the four bores 309 in thehousing 302, but any suitable number of assembly/assemblies could beused. Each assembly includes a retaining member 323, which is generallycylindrical with a ledge or flange 323 a extending outward proximate itstop end, configured and arranged to house a biasing member 324 and anengaging member 325 such as a ball bearing. The biasing member 324 ispositioned between a bottom of the retaining member 323 and the engagingmember 325 and urges the engaging member 325 toward the top of theretaining member 323. The retaining member 323 is configured andarranged to allow a portion of the engaging member 325 to extend outwardtherefrom. The bores 309 are counter sunk in this example to receive theledges or flanges 323 a of the retaining members 323. Only one engagingassembly 322 is shown within a bore 309 in FIG. 9B.

The rotating member 328 includes a reel 329, a dial 348, a shaft 352,and a fastener 358. The reel 329 includes a generally cylindrical base330 having a top from which a top flange 333 extends and a bottom fromwhich a bottom flange 334 extends. The top flange 333 includes a firstreceiver 331 and a second receiver 332. The first receiver 331 has afirst stop receiver 331 a configured and arranged to receive a stop 142of an elongate member 140 and an aperture 331 b through which theelongate member extends to be positioned proximate the base 330 betweenthe top and bottom flanges 333 and 334. The second receiver 332 has asecond stop receiver 333 a configured and arranged to receive a stop 144of the elongate member 140 and an aperture 333 b through which theelongate member extends to be positioned proximate the base 330 betweenthe top and bottom flanges 333 and 334. The bottom flange 334 includesat least one receiver 335. In this example, the receiver 335 is at leastone depression that extends at least partially through a bottom surfaceof the bottom flange 334 and could be a dimple, an aperture, or thelike. An extension 336 is generally cylindrical and extends outward fromthe bottom flange 334 and is generally centered thereon. A bore 337extends through the extension 336 and the top flange 333 and preferablyincludes a non-circular cross section. In this example, the bore 337 isgenerally plus “+” shaped.

The elongate member 140, which could be a cable, includes a first end141 to which a stop 142 is connected, a second end 143 to which a stop144 is connected, and an intermediate portion 145 between the first andsecond ends 141 and 143. In this example, the first end 141 isoperatively connected to the reel as described above, and theintermediate portion 145 is generally configured and arranged to windabout the base 330 of the reel 329.

The dial 348 includes a base or flange portion 349, which could includeribbed portions 350 on its top surface to provide a better grip on thebase or flange portion 349. The bottom surface could include voids, andan extension 351 extends downward from the bottom surface. The extension351 is configured and arranged to be received by the bore 337.Therefore, in this example, the extension 351 is generally plus “+”shaped to fit within the bore 337. Other corresponding shapes could beused. The extension 351 includes bore 351 a that is preferably threaded.

To assemble the tensioning device 300, the engaging assemblies 322 arepositioned within the bores 309 and the reel 329 is positioned withinthe cavity 310 with the bottom flange 334 proximate the ledge portion308. The first end 141 of the elongate member 140 is positioned in thefirst stop receiver 331 a, the second end 143 of the elongate member 140is inserted through the aperture 331 b and the bore 312 of the firstexit guide path 311 so that a portion of the intermediate portion 145extends from proximate the base 330 through the first exit guide path311. The second end 143 of the elongate member 140 is inserted throughthe bore 314 of the second exit guide path 313 and the aperture 332 b sothat the second end 143 is positioned in the second stop receiver 332 a.This creates a loop in the intermediate portion of the elongate member140 extending outward from the housing. The extension 351 of the dial348 is inserted into the bore 337, and then a fastener 358 is insertedthrough the bore 318 from the bottom 316 of the housing and threadedinto the bore 353 of the extension 351. The rotating member 328 isrotatable about the fastener 358 relative to the housing 302. Thenon-circular cross sections of the bore 337 and the extension 351 allowthis rotation. It is recognized that the order of assembling thecomponents could vary. Optionally, a sleeve 355 could be used to coverat least a portion of the elongate member 140 extending outward from thehousing 302. The sleeve 355 is shown on safety harness 200″ in FIG. 31 .The sleeve 355 could expand and concertina as the length of the elongatemember changes.

In operation, the dial 348, and therefore the rotating member 328, couldbe rotated in a first direction 362 and a second direction 363. When thedial 348 is rotated, the reel 329 rotates. When rotated in onedirection, the intermediate portion 145 is retracted into the housing302 and wound about the base 330. When rotated in the other direction,the intermediate portion 145 is unwound from the base 330 and paid outfrom the housing 302. Because both ends of the elongate member 140 areconnected to the reel 329, the intermediate portion 145 is wound andunwound about the base 330 proximate both ends. As the reel 329 rotates,the engaging members 325 move out of the receivers 335 and the bottomflange 334 moves the engaging members 325 downward into disengagedpositions thereby compressing the biasing members 324, for example asshown in FIG. 10B. When the engaging members 325 align with receivers335, the biasing members 324 move the engaging members upward intoengaged positions to be positioned within the receivers 335, for exampleas shown in FIG. 9B. This occurs when rotated in either direction. Inthe engaged positions, the engaging members 325 assist in preventingrotation of the rotating member 328 in the first and second directions.If a plurality of receivers 335 are used, such as 20 in this example,the length of the intermediate portion 345 extending out of the housing302 can be more finely tuned to a desired length. Any suitable number ofreceiver(s) could be used.

An embodiment combination safety harness and tensioning device could beused with the tensioning device 100 or any other suitable tensioningdevice. Any suitable safety harness could be used.

An example safety harness that could be used generally includes strapsconfigured and arranged to be donned by a user as is well known in theart. As illustrated in FIG. 24 , one example safety harness 200 includespadding 217 connected to the straps proximate the shoulder straps andthe dorsal pad assembly. A connector 218 could be used to interconnectthe padding 217 and the plate portion or flange 104 of the tensioningdevice 100 proximate a location, in this example preferably proximatethe user's chest or other suitable location proximate the front of theuser. In this example, the connector 218 includes an opening in the toplayer of the padding so that the flange 104 is sandwiched between thetop and bottom layers of the padding and the rotating member 128 extendsoutward through the opening. The padding 217 could include a channel 219extending from proximate the connector 218 to proximate a dorsal padassembly 222, the channel 219 being configured and arranged to slidablyreceive the intermediate portion 145 of the elongate member 140. Thedorsal pad assembly 222 includes a base 223 through which the straps arerouted to connect a D-ring 224 thereto. The D-ring 224 includes a ringportion 225, a bar portion 226, and an optional intermediate portion(not shown). The base 223 and the bar portion 226 are operativelyconnected to the harness straps as is well known in the art. Either theoptional intermediate portion or the bar portion 226 includes a firstbore 228 configured and arranged to receive the stop 144 of the elongatemember 140 and includes a second bore 229 in communication with thefirst bore 228. The second bore 229 is configured and arranged toreceive a fastener 231 such as a set screw, which extends through thesecond bore 229 into the first bore 228 and contacts the stop 144 tosecure the second end 143 of the elongate member 140 to the D-ring 224,which in this example is proximate a location different than thelocation of the tensioning device 100, preferably proximate the back ofthe user. Optionally, the base 223 could include a guide 232 with a bore233 through which the elongate member 140 extends between the channel219 and the D-ring 224. Optionally, a biasing member 230 interconnectsthe base 223 and the D-ring 224 to place a biasing force on the D-ring224. More specifically, the base 223 could include a first baseextension 243 and a second base extension 244 configured and arranged toreceive the bar portion 226 therebetween, and a fastener 245 couldextend through a bore 243 a in the first base extension 243, through abore 226 a of the bar portion 226, and through a bore 244 a of thesecond base extension 244 to pivotally connect the D-ring 224 to thebase 223. The biasing member 230 includes a first end operativelyconnected to the base 223 and a second end operatively connected to thebar portion 226. For example, the base 223 and the bar portion 226 couldinclude bores or slots to receive the ends of the biasing member 230.Preferably, the biasing force is a downward force relative to the dorsalpad assembly 222.

In operation, elongate member 104 extends between the tensioning device100 and the D-ring 224. If the elongate member 104 is routed through achannel 219, the channel 219 assists in preventing the elongate member104 from getting caught on something during use. As the dial 148 isrotated in one direction, the intermediate portion 145 is retracted intothe housing 102 and wound about the base 130. The length of theintermediate portion 145 extending outward from the housing 102 isshortened thereby moving the D-ring 224 toward an upward position. Asthe dial 148 is rotated in the other direction, the intermediate portion145 is unwound from the base 130 and paid out from the housing 102. Thelength of the intermediate portion 145 extending outward from thehousing 102 is lengthened thereby moving the D-ring 224 toward adownward position, for example as shown in FIG. 26A. The D-ring 224could be selectively positioned in any one of several intermediatepositions between a first, downward position and a second, upwardposition, for example as shown in FIG. 27A. If a biasing member 230 isused, then the D-ring 224 is urged into a downward position, but thelength of the elongate member 140 determines the position of the D-ring224. As the length of the elongate member 140 extending outward from thehousing 102 is lengthened, the biasing member 230 assists in moving theD-ring 224 downward and taking up any slack in the elongate member 140.Preferably, the length of the elongate member 140 from its distal endsis selected to accommodate the D-ring 224 in the downward position.

Although this embodiment is shown with a tensioning device 100, it isrecognized that any suitable tensioning device could be used. Forexample, the tensioning device could include ratchet pawls and a releasemechanism or other suitable engaging assemblies instead of ballbearings.

Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 32 , the elongate member couldinterconnect the D-ring and a portion of the harness, for exampleproximate the chest strap. For example, the elongate member could berouted through a channel 219′ of harness padding 217′, and the distalend of the elongate member could include a stop member or a pull tab144′ that the user could pull to move the D-ring upward. For example, ifthe D-ring is in a downward position, the user could pull the stopmember 144′ to move the D-ring into an intermediate or upward position,and when the user releases the stop member 144′ the D-ring could moveinto the intermediate or downward position, depending upon theconfiguration of the harness, any lifelines connected to the D-ring,etc. The D-ring could be selectively positioned in any one of severalintermediate positions between a first, downward position and a second,upward position by selectively positioning the stop member 144′. If abiasing member is used, then the D-ring is urged into the downwardposition, and when the user releases the stop member 144′, the D-ring isurged and moves into the downward position.

Although this embodiment is shown as a tensioning device for use with adorsal D-ring of a safety harness, it is recognized that it may be usedwith any suitable connector movable relative to a strap or anchormember.

An embodiment combination safety harness and tensioning device could beused with the tensioning device 300 or any other suitable tensioningdevice. Any suitable safety harness could be used.

An example safety harness that could be used generally includes strapsconfigured and arranged to be donned by a user as is well known in theart. As illustrated in FIG. 30 , one example safety harness 200′includes a connector 234 such as a buckle interconnecting a first strap202 and a second strap 214. The first strap 202 includes a first end 203generally positioned proximate a user's hip or leg and an intermediateportion 204 extending upward toward a user's chest. For example, thefirst end 203 could be connected to a third strap of the harness, suchas a leg strap. The intermediate portion 204 of the first strap 202 isselectively engaged by the connector 234 to adjust the length of theintermediate portion 204 extending between the first end 203 and theconnector 234. A second end 205 of the first strap 202 extends downwardfrom the intermediate portion 204 proximate the connector 234 toward thefirst end 203. In one example, the second end 205 is folded over ontoitself and secured to form a strap channel 206. A channel guide 208could be positioned within the strap channel 206, as shown in FIG. 28 .The channel guide 208 includes a first end 209, an intermediate portion210, and a second end 211 forming a channel 212 through which the loopin the elongate member 140 extends. The channel 212 could be generallyU-shaped and include multiple channels through which the elongate member140 could be routed, for example channels 212 a, 212 b, 212 c, and 212 dshown in FIG. 29 . The channels 212 a, 212 b, 212 c, and 212 d could beintegral with the channel guide 208. The channel guide 208 acts as awear pad so that the elongate member 140 does not contact or has limitedcontact with the second end 205 of the first strap 202. A first end 215of the second strap 214 is secured to the connector 234, and the secondstrap 214 extends toward the dorsal pad assembly.

In operation, the intermediate portion 145 of the elongate member 140extends outward from the tensioning device 300, forming a loop thatextends through the channel guide 208. As the dial 348 is rotated in onedirection, the intermediate portion 145 is retracted into the housing302 and wound about the base 330. The length of the intermediate portion145 extending outward from the housing 302 is shortened thereby movingthe second end 205 toward the first end 203 of the first strap 202. Asthe dial 348 is rotated in the other direction, the intermediate portion145 is unwound from the base 330 and paid out from the housing 302. Thelength of the intermediate portion 145 extending outward from thehousing 302 is lengthened thereby allowing the second end 205 to bemoved away from the first end 203 of the first strap 202. Therefore, asthe length of the intermediate portion 204 extending between the firstend 203 and the connector 234 is adjusted, the length of the elongatemember 140 extending outward from the tensioning device 300 can beadjusted to tension the first strap 202 as a strap keeper proximate itssecond end 205. The second end 205 is thereby secured to prevent it fromgetting caught on something during use. If a sleeve 355 is used, thesleeve 355 may extend and concertina as the length of the elongatemember 140 extending outward from the tensioning device 300 changes.

Although this embodiment is shown with a tensioning device 300, it isrecognized that any suitable tensioning device could be used. Forexample, the tensioning device could include ratchet pawls and a releasemechanism or other suitable engaging assemblies instead of ballbearings.

In another example, a strap end stop could be secured to the distal endof the second end 205 and the elongate member could be secured to thestrap end stop. In this example, the tensioning device 100 could be usedand the second end 143 of the elongate member 140 could be secured tothe strap end stop.

The above specification, embodiments, and data provide a completedescription of the manufacture and use of the composition of embodimentsof the disclosure. Although embodiments have been illustrated anddescribed herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill inthe art that any arrangement, which is calculated to achieve the samepurpose, may be substituted for the embodiments. This application isintended to cover any adaptations or variations of the disclosure.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A tensioning device, comprising: a housingincluding a cavity; an engaging assembly operatively connected to thehousing and having an engaging member and a biasing member, the engagingmember movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position,the biasing member urging the engaging member into the engaged position;a rotating member configured and arranged to be received in the cavityand rotatably operatively connected to the housing, the rotating memberhaving a base and a flange, the flange having a receiver configured andarranged to receive a portion of the engaging member, the engagingmember contacting the flange, the receiver being selectively alignedwith the engaging member in the engaged position as the rotating memberrotates; an elongate member having a first end operatively connected tothe rotating member and an intermediate portion windable about the base;and wherein the rotating member is rotatable in a first direction and asecond direction relative to the housing, the second direction beingopposite the first direction, the engaging member being positionedwithin the receiver in the engaged position to assist in preventingrotation of the rotating member in the first and second directions,wherein rotation of the rotating member overcomes the biasing member tomove the engaging member out of the receiver and into the disengagedposition to allow rotation in the first and second directions, thebiasing member moving the engaging member into the engaged position whenthe engaging member is selectively aligned with the receiver.
 2. Thetensioning device of claim 1, wherein the receiver is at least onedepression in the flange.
 3. The tensioning device of claim 1, whereinthe receiver is a plurality of depressions in the flange and theengaging member is selectively received in one of the plurality ofdepressions.
 4. The tensioning device of claim 3, wherein the engagingassembly includes a plurality of engaging members, each engaging memberaligned with one of the plurality of depressions when in the engagedposition.
 5. The tensioning device of claim 1, wherein the engagingassembly includes a retaining member configured and arranged to receiveat least a portion of the engaging member and the biasing member, thebiasing member being captured between the retaining member and theengaging member, the biasing member urging the engaging member topartially extend outward from the retaining member to contact theflange.
 6. The tensioning device of claim 5, wherein the engaging memberis a ball bearing.
 7. The tensioning device of claim 6, wherein thereceiver is at least one depression in the flange and a portion of theball bearing extends into the at least one depression in the engagedposition.
 8. The tensioning device of claim 1, wherein the housingincludes an exit guide path in communication with the cavity, theintermediate portion of the elongate member extending through the exitguide path.
 9. The tensioning device of claim 1, wherein the elongatemember has a second end operatively connected to the rotating member andthe intermediate portion is windable about the base proximate the firstand second ends.
 10. The tensioning device of claim 9, wherein thehousing includes a first exit guide path and a second exit guide path incommunication with the cavity, the intermediate portion extendingthrough each of the first and second guide paths.
 11. A tensioningdevice, comprising: a housing including a cavity; an engaging assemblyoperatively connected to the housing and having an engaging member and abiasing member, the engaging member movable between an engaged positionand a disengaged position, the biasing member urging the engaging memberinto the engaged position; a rotating member configured and arranged tobe received in the cavity and rotatably operatively connected to thehousing, the rotating member having a base and a flange, the flangehaving a first side including a receiver configured and arranged toreceive a portion of the engaging member, the engaging member and thebiasing member being positioned proximate the first side, the receiverbeing selectively aligned with the engaging member as the rotatingmember rotates; an elongate member having a first end operativelyconnected to the rotating member and an intermediate portion windableabout the base; and wherein the rotating member is rotatable in a firstdirection and a second direction relative to the housing, the seconddirection being opposite the first direction, the engaging member beingpositioned within the receiver in the engaged position to assist inpreventing rotation of the rotating member in the first and seconddirections, wherein rotation of the rotating member overcomes thebiasing member to move the engaging member into the disengaged positionand out of the receiver to allow rotation in the first and seconddirections, the biasing member moving the engaging member into theengaged position when the engaging member is selectively aligned withthe receiver.
 12. The tensioning device of claim 11, wherein thereceiver is a plurality of depressions in the flange and the engagingmember is selectively received in one of the plurality of depressions.13. The tensioning device of claim 12, wherein the engaging assemblyincludes a plurality of engaging members, each engaging member alignedwith one of the plurality of depressions when in the engaged position.14. The tensioning device of claim 11, wherein the engaging assemblyincludes a retaining member configured and arranged to receive at leasta portion of the engaging member and the biasing member, the biasingmember being captured between the retaining member and the engagingmember, the biasing member urging the engaging member to partiallyextend outward from the retaining member to contact the flange.
 15. Thetensioning device of claim 11, wherein the housing includes an exitguide path in communication with the cavity, the intermediate portion ofthe elongate member extending through the exit guide path.
 16. Thetensioning device of claim 11, wherein the elongate member has a secondend operatively connected to the rotating member and the intermediateportion is windable about the base proximate the first and second ends.17. A tensioning device, comprising: a housing including a cavity; anengaging assembly operatively connected to the housing, the engagingassembly including a retaining member configured and arranged to receiveat least a portion of the engaging member and the biasing member, thebiasing member being captured between the retaining member and theengaging member, the engaging member movable relative to the retainingmember between an engaged position and a disengaged position and thebiasing member urging the engaging member to partially extend outwardfrom the retaining member to contact the flange, the biasing memberurging the engaging member into the engaged position; a rotating memberconfigured and arranged to be received in the cavity and rotatablyoperatively connected to the housing, the rotating member having a baseand a flange, the flange having a receiver configured and arranged toreceive a portion of the engaging member, the receiver being selectivelyaligned with the engaging member as the rotating member rotates; anelongate member having a first end operatively connected to the rotatingmember and an intermediate portion windable about the base; and whereinthe rotating member is rotatable in a first direction and a seconddirection relative to the housing, the second direction being oppositethe first direction, the engaging member being positioned within thereceiver in the engaged position to assist in preventing rotation of therotating member in the first and second directions, wherein rotation ofthe rotating member overcomes the biasing member to move the engagingmember into the disengaged position and out of the receiver to allowrotation in the first and second directions, the biasing member movingthe engaging member into the engaged position when the engaging memberis selectively aligned with the receiver.
 18. The tensioning device ofclaim 17, wherein the receiver is a plurality of depressions in theflange and the engaging member is selectively received in one of theplurality of depressions.
 19. The tensioning device of claim 18, whereinthe engaging assembly includes a plurality of engaging members, eachengaging member aligned with one of the plurality of depressions when inthe engaged position.
 20. The tensioning device of claim 17, wherein thehousing includes an exit guide path in communication with the cavity,the intermediate portion of the elongate member extending through theexit guide path.
 21. The tensioning device of claim 17, wherein theelongate member has a second end operatively connected to the rotatingmember and the intermediate portion is windable about the base proximatethe first and second ends.